Majority Leader Hoyer: House to Take Up Permanent SGR Fix

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after House Democrats introduced a permanent fix for the Sustainable Growth Rate:

“Today, Democrats are showing our commitment to our nation’s doctors and seniors by introducing legislation that permanently fixes the sustainable growth rate. This will ensure that doctors are fairly compensated for seeing Medicare and TRICARE patients. It will also put an end to the hasty patches done at the end of each year that are ‘paid for’ by requiring even deeper reduction in future year. A permanent fix will allow doctors to accurately plan for the coming year and give seniors the peace of mind that they will have access to their doctors and receive quality care.

“At the same time we look to fix the SGR, we will also demonstrate our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility. Earlier this year, Speaker Pelosi and I made it very clear that a permanent SGR fix must be paid for, or statutory PAYGO must be passed. We stand firm to that pledge, and will send statutory PAYGO to the Senate again with the SGR bill. I look forward to bringing this bill to the House Floor for a vote very soon.”